Talk About BAYFLOW Men's How to add a modern element while preserving the originality?
PROFILE
After graduating from Osaka Mode Gakuen, he worked as a patterner at an apparel company before joining Adaglia in 2012, working for Nicando, and participating in the launch of Bayflow in 2002. He is currently contributing to the brand's rapid growth as its men's director.
PROFILE
After graduating from Miyako Kawamura Stylist School, she studied under Takatomo Igarashi and became independent in 2011. She has worked mainly for magazines and advertisements, and has created a number of sophisticated styling projects that skillfully fuse mode and casual styles.
Instagram:@masaakiida
Bay Flow was renewed in September of this year.
Fukuda: Until now, BayFlow has been offering a visual approach to showcasing surf culture. In this renewal, we wanted to carry on that image while expanding the range of our products. While keeping the image of a lifestyle that goes back and forth between the city and nature in mind, we have added urban clothing and beautiful items that can be worn in such a lifestyle.
Ida: I have the impression that a modern taste has been added while retaining the BayFlow style. And the balance between the two is very skillful. It was easy for me to envision the scene when I was styling, so I had no trouble coordinating the pieces I proposed this time.
Fukuda: Our brand has always excelled in vintage clothing and vintage taste. Therefore, existing customers would be confused if we moved too far away from that style. We were very particular about how to add modern elements while retaining the traditional Bay Flow style.
Ida: It has always had a mature look, but now it has a new mature look for a different scene. It is not only vintage clothing, but also a broad range of people with such backgrounds who can go out to various places in the city. It was easy to imagine scenes and characters.
What exactly gave you that impression?
Ida: For example, there are sweat pants that go with a flannel shirt. The silhouette is very beautiful, and I thought they would be easy to wear around town. Of course, you can also wear them when you want to relax.
The model, Mr. Tendre, looked great in the dress.
Ida: I was certain that they would look good on me. Not only the sweatpants, but the overall silhouette and design were modern.
Fukuda: I am very particular about the silhouette. For example, an oversized silhouette will look childish if it is too large. Therefore, I try to create a sizing that gives the impression of a mature person, and add or subtract details accordingly.
Ida: The same is true of the details. The corduroy pants worn with the eco-leather jacket have a three-dimensional cutting, and such design nuances are subtly incorporated, creating a new mood.
Fukuda: Adult people are exposed to a variety of brands. So I thought it would be great if I could add such elements casually and get people to notice them.
Ida: Adding modern elements is a technique that all brands use, but I am attracted to the fact that BayFlow retains a vintage taste that is unmistakably BayFlow. The three-dimensional silhouette is expressed with corduroy, and the hooded shirts are made of flannel, which has an American taste.
Fukuda: I was really conscious of that. We wanted to make it modern, but we must not lose the originality. I was conscious of designs that would make existing customers say, "I'll give this a try," and new customers say, "I didn't know BayFlow had this kind of clothing.
You were always thinking about your customers, weren't you?
Fukuda: Yes, it is. It is easy to boost our own egos. Our priority is to make our customers happy with their purchases.
Ida-san, do you have a favorite styling?
Ida: The styling of the corduroy shirt jacket is my favorite. It is an authentic coordinate with gray knitwear and painted pants, but when Mr. TENDRE actually puts his sleeves on it, I feel that it adds a sense of three-dimensionality to the charm of the item. I think it is because of the good design. I think it is a combination of various elements, such as the texture of the material, the silhouette, and the processing. Each item has its own charm, but I felt that the styling created a synergistic effect, and I had a sense of being hooked.
Fukuda: I like that coordination, too. As Mr. Ida said, all of the items are authentic, and are items that have been in the BayFlow line for a long time. However, the styling conveys a newness that is an extension of the original items.
I also like the coordination of the brown set-up. I wanted to create a mixed style at Bayflow, mixing checked shirts with clean items.
Ida: I myself am personally interested in such a way of dressing, combining beautiful items with vintage clothes, and I also sense such a trend when I follow fashion trends. Each item of clothing from BayFlow this time has its own modern point, so it was easy to mix and match. I really like that it doesn't feel cramped.
How do you want Bayflow to grow in the future?
Fukuda: Our basic concept is to be a brand that delivers joy to our customers. In this context, we would like more and more people to know the appeal of Bayflow. We would like to reach people who have not yet heard of us through this renewal, and we would like to continue to create designs that will satisfy a variety of people who say, "Cool! I would like to continue to create designs that will satisfy a wide range of people.
Ida: When I was styled for this project, I was impressed by how carefully the work was done. I could see that you don't just add a modern look, but that you design with an ideal in mind while keeping the customer in mind. I hope that you will continue to produce many such clothes in the future.
